THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509140188
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 50 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: EDENTON LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
So far this season, the Edenton-Holmes High School football team has seen a little bit of everything from opposing offenses. And so far the Aces have been able to adjust accordingly.
In its first four games this year, Edenton has given up a total of 22 points and has recorded shutouts over Columbia and Perquimans County.
Each team has been different.
In a 34-7 win over Gates County, the Barons passed over 30 times. In a 15-14 loss to Williamston, the Tigers featured a strong running game and passing. In a 27-0 win over Perquimans County, the Pirates showed their typical speedy running backs.
``Each one of those schools has something different,'' said Edenton head coach Jay Swicegood.
Perhaps Edenton's biggest challenge this season will be an Oct. 6 match up with high-scoring conference rival Plymouth.
``The diversity we've seen so far may help us have a better chance at matching up with Plymouth,'' Swicegood said. ``We were not prepared to stop the pass last year. Playing Gates County this year will help us prepare for the passing game. Williamston also threw the ball well. We've had to change our defenses each week.''
Handling the defense this year is first-year defensive coordinator Ed Thorton.
``It's not the same defense we had last year,'' Swicegood said. ``We looked at our personnel and we didn't have one real strong kid that could play nose for us so we've gone with the 4-3. We do quite a bit of stunting. We don't just sit back. We're trying to attack on defense.''
The defense has been devastating. In the loss to Williamston, the Aces' defense gave up only three points and held on two two-point conversions twice. In the win over Gates, the Edenton defense gave up a touchdown pass late in the game with second-teamers in the secondary.
Swicegood says the defensive quickness has been the difference. The Aces have two backup running backs playing defense and some other quick players. David Sutton, a backup tailback, is also playing defensive end. Defensive guard Ernest Riddick is also a backup fullback on offense. Swicegood said Brian Ward is probably the quickest defensive lineman the team has.
``Our quickness on defense is unbelievable,'' he said.
With young players in the lineup, the defense should only improve.
``Our defense is real young, four starters up front are juniors, two linebackers are juniors, one of our corners is a junior, and one of our safeties is a junior,'' Swicegood said. ``Most of them played last year on varsity. It's been a big key having eight returning starters from last year.
``They work hard in practice and the intensity has been high,'' he added. ``We have a lot of battling for positions which has helped.'' by CNB